An open Japanese study suggests that consumption of oolong tea
(Camellia sinensis) helps speed clearance of recalcitrant
atopic dermatitis lesions. The 118 study participants continued
their usual dermatologic treatments but also drank oolong tea
(10 g steeped in 1000 mL water a day, divided into three doses).
Beneficial results were noted after one to two weeks, and 74 (63%)
of the participants showed marked to moderate improvement of lesions
after one month. After 6 months, 64 patients (54%) still demonstrated
a good response to treatment. The study builds on animal research
showing that oral administration of green, black, or oolong tea
suppressed allergic skin reactions. Uehara M, Sugiura J, Sakurai
K. A trial of oolong tea in the management of recalcitrant atopic
dermatitis. Arch Dermatol 2001; 137: 42-43.